Case

21095A

From: Japan | Yokohama

Curatorial Section: Asian

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Native Name Inro
Object Number 21095A
Current Location Collections Storage
Culture Japanese
Provenience Japan | Yokohama
Date Made 1800-1899
Section Asian
Materials Wood | Lacquer | Silver | Mother-of-Pearl | Gold
Technique Lacquered
Iconography Elephant
Inscription Language Japanese Language
Description

Dark, red lacquer inro in four separable tiers representing a cake of Japanese ink decorated with an Indian elephant. The elephant is inlaid with mother of pearl, gold, and silver. On the other side, four characters inan archaic script read: The Elephant Brings us Happiness. A reference to a particular ink cake published in a woodblock printed catalog of ink sticks and cakes from 1588 CE. The elephant carries a boat-like vessel on its back for religious offerings. Signed on the side: Hansan made.

Credit Line Gift of Miss Livingston, 1898

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